The Android operating system has come a long away ever since it was co-founded by Andy Rubin more than a decade ago. He’s also known for his pioneering robotics work at Google Robotics. According to a new report, Rubin and his team have been building an artificial intelligence-focused smartphone that’s going to be unveiled soon. The team is also said to have developed smart home products that work well with the new handset.
Rubin’s new company is reportedly going to be called “Essential” and he’s expected to serve as its CEO. Essential reportedly has a 40-strong team which includes his old colleagues from Google as well as people lured from Samsung, Apple, and Magic Leap.
Bloomberg reports that Essential is going to focus on smartphones that blend artificial intelligence with consumer hardware in a way that binds everything together nicely. Essential may not be limited to smartphones as it has been registered in the United States as a brand for smartphones, tablets, accessories, and computer operating software.
Essential’s first flagship smartphone is expected to be a high-end device with a screen measuring around 5.5 inch. It’s mentioned in the report that the team talked about this device with mobile carrier executives at the Consumer Electronics Show 2017 in Las Vegas next week. It wasn’t disclosed during those meetings what OS this device is powered by.
It’s unclear at this point in time precisely when Essential is planning to unveil its AI-focused smartphone.
Filed in . Read more about Andy Rubin, CES 2017 and Essential.